Prince William and Princess Kate share tribute to Pope Francis as future King returns to UK

Prince William arrives in Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis

GB News
Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 26/04/2025

- 15:50

The Argentinian pontiff died on Easter Monday at the age of 88

Prince William and Princess Kate have shared a tribute to Pope Francis ahead of the future King's return to the UK.

The Prince of Wales, 42, arrived in the Vatican for the funeral of the late pontiff on Saturday morning.


He was pictured in a navy suit and black tie as he paid his respects to the coffin of Francis alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer.

The Argentinian pontiff died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, triggering mourning among Roman Catholics worldwide.

Prince Willian and Princess Kate

Prince William and Princess Kate have shared a tribute to Pope Francis ahead of the future King's return to the UK

Getty

The Prince and Princess of Wales took to social media to show their respect following the mass service.

They wrote: "Today we remember and celebrate the life of Pope Francis."

Along with the tribute, they shared a message from the Vatican, accompanied by a video of Pope Francis being transported through Rome to his final resting place at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The video also captured the large crowds who had spent the day honouring the late Pope.

The Vatican wrote: "Pope Francis' coffin has been entombed.

"The Pope's final resting place is the Basilica of St. Mary Major in central Rome.

"Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets to watch as his coffin was brought from the Vatican to the Basilica.

"The Pope is the first in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican, and his entombment was a private event, allowing for those closest to him to pay their respects."

Prince WilliamPrince William arriving to pay his respects to Pope FrancisREUTERS

During the funeral mass, which began at 9am on Saturday morning, Catholic royals were positioned in the front row of St Peter's Basilica as they paid tribute to the late pontiff.

These include Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

King Charles, who met the Pope in person shortly before his death, paid tribute to Pope Francis's "compassion" and "tireless commitment" to people of faith, in which he described himself and Queen Camilla with "heavy hearts".

The Prince of Wales, who attended the funeral on behalf of King Charles, is set to return to the UK following the service.